State Working to Restore Hemlock Population at Patapsco Valley State Park; Media Event Slated for May 3

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Representatives from the Maryland Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Maryland Conservation Corps will begin a multi-year restoration project aimed at restoring the state’s hemlock trees after massive losses to hemlock wooly adelgid. This small exotic insect, native to Japan, was discovered in Virginia in 1951 and has slowly spread along the east coast of the United States resulting in hemlock decline.

To kick off the collaborative project, Maryland’s State Agriculture, Natural Resources and Conservation Corps personnel will plant 220 hemlock trees in Patapsco Valley State Park, which has lost a significant amount of hemlocks to the pest over the past decade. The new trees will be transplanted from Penn Nursery near State College, Pa., as part of an arrangement between the Maryland agencies and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The project also involves restoration activities at Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont and the creation of a hemlock hedge insectary at Big Run State Park in Swanton.

WHO:              Maryland Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources Parks and Forest Services, Maryland Conservation Corps

WHAT:            Partners will plant 220 Hemlock trees imported from State College, Pa. in an effort to restore trees lost to hemlock wooly adelgid.

WHEN:            May 3 from 1-2 p.m.

WHERE:          Patapsco Valley State Park, Avalon/Orange Gove Area, 5120 South Street, Halethorpe, MD 21227.

NOTE:             Reporters/photographers planning to attend should RSVP to Jason Schellhardt, 410-841-5744.

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